X-Book

Main Characters

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told by friends, flatmates, exes and strangers - everybody but the main characters.

'I laughed, I teared up, I couldn't put it down. This is a love story like no other'
'This book gave me genuine joy and broke my heart'
'For fans of Heartburn, David Nicholls, Sally Rooney'
'A beautifully written, emotionally rich story that surprised me in the best way'
'These characters live in your head long after you've closed the book'
'Recommended for people watchers'

'Fresh and original - but somehow timeless' CLAIRE DAVERLEY

'An epic, heart-wrenching love story' KATE SAWYER

'Destined to be on everyone's sun loungers this summer' STYLIST

'Moving, funny, wise and beautifully written' JOANNA CANNON

---

Clara and Seb are about to fall in love. They don't know it yet. But everybody else does.

When Clara and Seb meet in a quiet corner of London, it's the start of something. She wants to be a director. He's an actor, unsure what he wants from life.

Their connection is magnetic. Everyone can see that falling in love looks something like this. But when Clara casts Seb in the film that will make her name, what should be the happiest time of their lives ends with a gut-wrenching betrayal.

Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told through the eyes of friends, flatmates, exes and strangers who see all the sides of Seb and Clara, from their first date to the moment they fell apart.

Everyone has their version of events. But only Clara and Seb can decide how their story ends...

Main Characters is the highly anticipated novel about love, friendship, dysfunctional families and life-changing connections.

'Just gorgeous' ABIGAIL DEAN

'A portrayal of London that feels like a Richard Curtis movie' GEORGINA MOORE

'For anyone who's ever sat opposite a mysterious stranger on a train and wondered what's really going on behind those eyes' JUSTIN MYERS

'Bobby Palmer has the rare talent of making us fall in love' SETH INSUA

Critics Review

Irresistible and immaculately executed
Sunday Times Style
An epic on-again, off-again romance . . . with small, perceptive insights into a vast cast of characters and the way lives collide and divert. I wept
Abigail Dean on holiday reads for the Guardian
Cinematic and swoon-worthy (but not without its gut punches)... such a fresh and original take on the telling of a love story − but somehow timeless
Claire Daverley
Destined to be on everyone's sun loungers this summer
Stylist
An all-encompassing love story . . . Moved me to tears more than once
Prima, Book of the Month
Moving, funny, wise and beautifully written . . I love the idea of people's lives crossing over, the impressions we get from what we see and hear. If you love a smart, poignant, funny, gripping book, you will love this. I cannot recommend it enough
Joanna Cannon
A clever concept . . . an epic love story
Grazia
One for those who loved One Day
Gloss Magazine
Gorgeous, clever, utterly addictive. A fresh take on the British romcom
Pandora Sykes
We've never read a love story quite like this ─ unputdownable
Closer
Ambitious and big-hearted . . . The perfect, immersive read
Mike Gayle
An enjoyable twist on a love story, Main Characters is an easy, funny and fresh sun-lounger read
The Standard, Best New Books to Read in 2026
Clara and Seb's lives intertwine [and] unravel with shifting loyalties, misread moments and heartbreak
Woman & Home
If you love clever literary fiction, you will love this novel. If you love immersive commercial fiction, you will love this novel. If you love rom coms and a portrayal of London that feels like a Richard Curtis movie, you will love this novel
Georgina Moore
Innovative and clever but with all the humour, character detail and heart-wrenching emotional moments we have come to expect from Bobby Palmer's writing. Wonderful
Kate Sawyer
This unique story charts a new relationship from the point of view of everyone but the couple themselves
Good Housekeeping
The perfect book for anyone who's ever sat opposite a mysterious stranger on a train and wondered what's really going on behind those eyes. A charming, romantic meditation on the chaos of falling in (and out of) love
Justin Myers
A moving novel that tells the story of aspiring director Clara and actor Seb from the perspectives of friends, colleagues and strangers
Hello!
Entirely fresh and unexpected . . . with the feel of a classic love story
BookBrunch
Our book of the summer. A real treat of a read
Bella Magazine
Every perspective is gripping, immediate, and utterly alive, forging a surprising and intense intimacy with Seb and Clara, even as we only meet them refracted through others' eyes. Bobby Palmer has the rare talent of making us fall in love
Seth Insua
A love story shaped by competing memories . . . brilliant and unique
That’s Life Monthly
A unique and deeply moving novel
Culturefly
Author Bobby Palmer
Narrator Sofia Oxenham
Duration 11 hours and 29 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781035435371
Format Audiobook
Publisher Headline
Genre Fiction: general and literary, Modern and contemporary fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Romance, Romance: unlikely or unexpected lovers
Availability AU, GB, IE

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.